Amphibious Fire Engine in Ashland July 4th Parade

After an absence of forty years, Ashland's fire engine returns to the town where it began its service over seventy years ago. The Southern Oregon Historical Society invites you to witness the return to public life of the Amphibious Fire Engine as it participates in Ashland’s Fourth of July Parade, beginning at 10am. In 1948 the vehicle became known as Ashland's "Amphibious" Fire Engine after it fell in the Ashland Creek during a flood. It spent an entire day completely submerged in flood waters before being retrieved. Complete disassembly by an Ashland garage was necessary to remove the sand which had penetrated all the parts and recesses of the pumper. SOHS volunteers found more sand the mechanics had missed in 1948 and preserved it as part of the history of this historic vehicle.

Built in Portland at the Howard Cooper factory, the fire pumper served Ashland for thirty years before being bought at auction by a Rogue Valley family. Last spring the same family donated it to the Southern Oregon Historical Society, which began an all-volunteer effort to return it to service. Many local donors and firms provided funds and parts to help in the effort.Help us celebrate the return of this remarkable vehicle.

Following the parade, the 1946 Ford fire engine will be parked on Ashland Plaza. Everyone is invited to climb on it, honk the horn, ring the bell, operate the siren or try on a real fireman's helmet!